March 23, 2023 | By Sharon H. Porter, Ed.D.
Morris Brown College (MBC), a historically Black college in Atlanta, Georgia, has appointed nine new members to its Board of Trustees, "with a vast wealth of experience and resources", stated Dr. Kevin James, President of Morris Brown College. Morris Brown received its full accreditation after losing it a little over 20 years ago. The college was rewarded its accreditation from the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS), a Virginia-based accreditation agency. The initial accreditation will last for a period of five years, so Morris Brown College will appear before an accreditation commission again in 2027.
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The new Board of Trustees are: Mr. Mohamed Balla, Chief Financial Officer for the City of Atlanta; Reverend Dr. Gwendolyn E. Boyd, 22nd national President of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.; Mr. Nicholas M Perkins, Chairman, President, and CEO of Fuddruckers, Mr. Stephen P. Smith, Esq., Environmental Attorney and Community Advocate; Dr. Joy Jackson-Guilford, Director of strategic Pipeline Partnerships & Community Advocate; Mrs. Heather Robertson Fortner, Chief executive Officer and Board Chair, SignatureEd; Dr. Lisa Nicole Herring, Atlanta Public Schools Superintendent; Mr. Darryl A. Hicks, Immediate Past Chair of the Board for Atlanta Habitat for Humanity; and Ms. Lisa Tolliver, Community Relations Manager for Georgia Power. James said, "This is truly the Hard Reset".
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Tennessee’s only Historically Black College and University (HBCU), Knoxville College (KC), lost its accreditation in 1997. KC is on track to regain its accreditation. The college is anticipating submitting its application for approval in April. Dr. Dasha Lundy, executive vice president and chief operations officer, said Dr. Kevin James, president of MBC, was an inspiration. James stated, "My goal was to lead Morris Brown to accreditation- I had no idea it would inspire other HBCUs!"